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20 Feature Duelling disasters Teamwork and professionalism were base’s best weapons against dual threats from Mother Nature R AAF Base Williamtown’s personnel and base support staff and services made the most of minimal resources to fight off the bushfire and flood emergencies that threatened the base in December and January. In mid-December, during a typically quiet time, Williamtown issued a fire alert to NSW Fire Service, noting that a fire was approaching the base. Base operations rested with a small group of remaining personnel from No. 26 Squadron and a base support team including a stand-up of the Emergency Operations Centre at the Base Command Post (BCP). T/CO 26SQN and Deputy Air Base Executive Officer Williamtown WGCDR Jeffrey Leeke said reduced staff levels posed a challenge. “It was about working with the resources we had, and what we had was a group of highly trained individuals working as a collective who were committed and focused on the task at hand,” WGCDR Leeke said. CPL Robert Smith supported operations at the BCP and said that although they were dealing with a major incident it was business as usual. “What I recall most is there was no sense of panic, just a calm focus on our assigned tasks. We were just doing what we were trained to do,” CPL Smith said. Security flight personnel provided detection and close monitoring of the fire through base security capabilities, evacuation of all non-essential base personnel and support staff, as well as traffic control. Firefighter Manager Williamtown FSGT Owen Johnson said the response from the firefighting crew was swift and immediate. It involved coordinated liaison with Rural Fire Service units, which ensured they were fully aware of the hazards on base that they may not come across in their normal civilian operations. He said it was a testament to the dedication and resolve of personnel that minimum crews and vehicles supported the response despite the severe intensity and speed of the fire, . “The crews did well to protect the area with no loss in the face of the fire and, later, in continuously chasing spot fires from embers drifting into the base. It was exhausting work but, to their credit, that rate of effort was maintained until the rain came,” FSGT Johnson said. The rain that provide immedi- ate relief from the fire became the next significant threat in itself, as Williamtown was inundated by flood waters. Most of the base airfield flooded, disrupting air operations. Roads and grassed areas were flooded, including most of the runway strip, which suffered damage to its pavement. Firefighters LAC Eugenio Federici, LACW Amy Morschel, LAC Luke Stewart and CPL Chris Bennett helped protect RAAF Base Williamtown from the bushfires. Photo: CPL Mark Friend With significant redevelopment works under way in preparation for the arrival of the new F-35A, the project’s airfield work safety personnel and Williamtown air traffic control notified airfield engineer FLTLT Rhys Belnap of the damage to the pavement, which required the runway to be closed. FLTLT Belnap said due to the timely response and support of Defence contractors from the project team, supported by Capital Facilities and Infrastructure Branch, there was minimal impact to civilian and military flying operations and aircraft operations were restored in record time. “After that first detection of the loss of pavement integrity, we were trying to keep our heads above water, coordinating the necessary repairs while maintaining airfield operations.” FLTLT Belnap said. “Working closely with experienced contractors, who have intimate working knowledge of the challenges we faced, greatly supported the effort.” The diversion of repair works to the runway in response to the flooding also had an impact on scheduled runway extension works. The whole-of-base redevelopment works were also affected, but the redevelopment program is now back in full swing. With much anticipated change to the base establishment through planning and development, the fire and flooding brought significant change and challenges requiring a different level of response. Incoming CO 26SQN and Air Base Executive Officer WGCDR Amanda Cornell said the performance of personnel and high level of teamwork enabled many challenges to be overcome. “I am confident Williamtown personnel and base support staff and services are well-equipped and are in a constant state of readiness to deal with any challenge or adversity. “While you cannot plan for every incident or event, you can be ready – and we are,” WGCDR Cornell said. Base Support Manager, Estate Services Northern NSW, Mary-Anne Mellor also congratulated the base support team on its response during the threat period. “I am proud to acknowledge the commitment of base support staff who were on site from the start of the threat until the threat period ended. Their support and contribution to the team effort was vital to the success of the operation,” Ms Mellor said. Acting SADFO during the emer- gencies and incoming CO No. 44 Wing GPCAPT Patrick Cooper thanked personnel involved for their support in achieving successful outcomes through a complex yet coordinated inter-agency response. “The base’s handling of the fires and floods is a great reflection on the dedication and professionalism of Williamtown’s personnel. “I’m also sure that the positive relationship between Williamtown’s military commanders and Defence Estate and Infrastructure Group local management was key to overcoming the many challenges,” GPCAPT Cooper said. AIR RCEF February 25, 2016 Feature Duelling disasters Teamwork and professionalism were base’s best weapons against dual threats from Mother Nature R AAF Base Williamtown’s personnel and base support staff and services made the most of minimal resources to fight off the bushfire and flood emergencies that threatened the base in December and January. In mid-December, during a typi- cally quiet time, Williamtown issued a fire alert to NSW Fire Service, noting that a fire was approaching the base. Base operations rested with a small group of remaining personnel from No. 26 Squadron and a base sup- port team including a stand-up of the Emergency Operations Centre at the Base Command Post (BCP). T/CO 26SQN and Deputy Air Base Executive Officer Williamtown WGCDR Jeffrey Leeke said reduced staff levels posed a challenge. “It was about working with the resources we had, and what we had was a group of highly trained individu- als working as a collective who were committed and focused on the task at hand,” WGCDR Leeke said. CPL Robert Smith supported operations at the BCP and said that although they were dealing with a major incident it was business as usual. “What I recall most is there was no sense of panic, just a calm focus on our assigned tasks. We were just doing what we were trained to do,” CPL Smith said. Security flight personnel provided detection and close monitoring of the fire through base security capabilities, evacuation of all non-essential base personnel and support staff, as well as traffic control. Firefighter Manager Williamtown FSGT Owen Johnson said the response from the firefighting crew was swift and immediate. It involved coordinated liaison with Rural Fire Service units, which ensured they were fully aware of the hazards on base that they may not come across in their nor- mal civilian operations. He said it was a testament to the dedication and resolve of personnel that minimum crews and vehicles sup- ported the response despite the severe intensity and speed of the fire, . “The crews did well to protect the area with no loss in the face of the fire and, later, in continuously chasing spot fires from embers drifting into the base. It was exhausting work but, to their credit, that rate of effort was maintained until the rain came,” FSGT Johnson said. The rain that provide immedi- ate relief from the fire became the next significant threat in itself, as Williamtown was inundated by flood waters. Most of the base airfield flood- ed, disrupting air operations. Roads and grassed areas were flooded, including most of the run- way strip, which suffered damage to its pavement. Firefighters LAC Eugenio Federici, LACW Amy Morschel, LAC Luke Stewart and CPL Chris Bennett helped protect RAAF Base Williamtown from the bushfires. Photo: CPL Mark Friend With significant redevelopment works under way in preparation for the arrival of the new F-35A, the project’s airfield work safety personnel and Williamtown air traffic control notified airfield engineer FLTLT Rhys Belnap of the damage to the pavement, which required the runway to be closed. FLTLT Belnap said due to the time- ly response and support of Defence contractors from the project team, supported by Capital Facilities and Infrastructure Branch, there was mini- mal impact to civilian and military fly- ing operations and aircraft operations were restored in record time. “After that first detection of the loss of pavement integrity, we were try- ing to keep our heads above water, coordinating the necessary repairs while maintaining airfield operations.” FLTLT Belnap said. “Working closely with experienced contractors, who have intimate work- ing knowledge of the challenges we faced, greatly supported the effort.” The diversion of repair works to the runway in response to the flooding also had an impact on scheduled run- way extension works. The whole-of-base redevelopment works were also affected, but the rede- velopment program is now back in full swing. With much anticipated change to the base establishment through plan- ning and development, the fire and flooding brought significant change and challenges requiring a different level of response. Incoming CO 26SQN and Air Base Executive Officer WGCDR Amanda Cornell said the performance of per- sonnel and high level of teamwork enabled many challenges to be over- come. “I am confident Williamtown per- sonnel and base support staff and ser- vices are well-equipped and are in a constant state of readiness to deal with any challenge or adversity. “While you cannot plan for every incident or event, you can be ready – and we are,” WGCDR Cornell said. Base Support Manager, Estate Services Northern NSW, Mary-Anne Mellor also congratulated the base support team on its response during the threat period. “I am proud to acknowledge the commitment of base support staff who were on site from the start of the threat until the threat period ended. Their support and contribution to the team effort was vital to the success of the operation,” Ms Mellor said. Acting SADFO during the emer- gencies and incoming CO No. 44 Wing GPCAPT Patrick Cooper thanked personnel involved for their support in achieving successful out- comes through a complex yet coordi- nated inter-agency response. “The base’s handling of the fires and floods is a great reflection on the dedication and professionalism of Williamtown’s personnel. “I’m also sure that the positive rela- tionship between Williamtown’s mili- tary commanders and Defence Estate and Infrastructure Group local man- agement was key to overcoming the many challenges,” GPCAPT Cooper said. AIR RCEF February 25, 2016 the the bushfires. Below, CPL Robert Smith at the base command post. Photos CPL Mark Friend Top, the bushfire outside Williamtown. Right, FLTLT Rhys Belnap and FLTLT Jamie Brown inspect the runway repairs. Below, a screen shot from Williamtown Expeditionary Tactical Area Surveillance System showing the heat signature of the fire across 2SQN.